Another year, another football team from Georgia blowing a huge lead in the title game.

(Sorry, Georgia.)

The 2017 college football season is in the books, with Alabama beating the Bulldogs in a thriller to win the national championship. Now we look ahead - way ahead - to 2018 and try to predict the way-too-early Top 25 for when August rolls around.

So how do Michigan and Michigan State stack up? Believe it or not, some rankings have the Wolverines ahead, others have the Spartans ahead.

On MSU: "After winning at least 10 games for the sixth time in the past eight seasons, the Spartans' 3-9 disaster in 2016 seems like a distant memory. With 19 starters coming back in 2018, Michigan State might be poised to challenge Ohio State in the Big Ten East."

On U-M: "Michigan's newest savior is former Ole Miss quarterback Shea Patterson, who has already enrolled in classes but hasn't yet been ruled eligible by the NCAA. If Patterson can play in games this coming season, the Wolverines should be much better on offense. If he isn't eligible, Brandon Peters and Dylan McCaffrey will battle for the job. One of them will have to bring life to Michigan's offense, with road games looming at Notre Dame, Northwestern, Michigan State and Ohio State in 2018."

On MSU: "Michigan State’s bounce-back 2017 season paints a bright picture for 2018, with an offense built around quarterback Brian Lewerke and a defense that returns the wide majority of this year’s main contributors. Defenders such as linebacker Joe Bachie and lineman Kenny Willekes are set to assume roles as some of the best at their positions in the Big Ten."

On U-M: "These are strange times for Michigan, which had enormous hopes upon Jim Harbaugh’s arrival but has yet to crack the upper echelon of the FBS. That may happen in 2018, especially given the Wolverines’ defense, but that’s only half the battle. Can Harbaugh find a quarterback?"

On MSU: "The 2017 season was enough to prove 2016 was an aberration in East Lansing. Between quarterback Brian Lewerke’s continued development and the slew of returning starters, including leading rusher LJ Scott, things look good for the Spartans."

On U-M: "This was one of the tougher rankings to assign, and it depends a lot on the eligibility of Shea Patterson. Should the Ole Miss transfer play in 2018, Michigan might be a top-15 team, but that’s still uncertain."

On MSU: "The Spartans won 10 games this season with a very inexperienced team. They could return 19 starters, including underrated QB Brian Lewerke, top WR Felton Davis III, top tackler Joe Bachie, sack leader Kenny Willekes and Freshman All-America CB Josiah Scott. They do lose a key leader, LB Chris Frey, and the offensive line needs to improve its run-blocking for veteran TB LJ Scott."

On U-M: "Jim Harbaugh’s team underwhelmed in 2017 but is fairly stocked for next season. Nine starters from a national top-five defense return, including All-Big Ten linemen Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich and star LB Devin Bush. The Wolverines will get a huge boost if Ole Miss transfer QB Shea Patterson is granted an NCAA waiver. If not, Brandon Peters got experience as a freshman. The O-line remains a concern."

On U-M: "After a rebuilding year in 2017, the Wolverines are poised for a rebound back into the top 10 in 2018. In order for Jim Harbaugh’s team to win the conference title, the offense needs to find stability under center. Brandon Peters struggled in the bowl loss to South Carolina, and he will be pushed by Dylan McCaffrey after a redshirt year and Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson (if granted immediate eligibility). The running back corps should be strong with the return of Karan Higdon, Chris Evans and Kareem Walker. And the receiving unit is in better shape than the 2017 version thanks to the return of Tarik Black from a season-ending injury. ... Michigan’s schedule is challenging. Road games await at Notre Dame, Northwestern, Michigan State and Ohio State. Additionally, the Wolverines catch Wisconsin in crossover play."

On MSU: "The Spartans were one of college football’s most improved teams in 2017, increasing their win total by seven games from 2016. Can coach Mark Dantonio’s team challenge Ohio State for the Big Ten East Division title in 2018? The hopes of a trip to Indianapolis start with quarterback Brian Lewerke. As a sophomore in 2017, he threw for 20 touchdowns and 2,793 yards and added 559 yards and five scores on the ground. Running back LJ Scott already announced his intentions to return in 2018, and the senior-to-be will anchor a backfield that also features Madre London (304 yards). Lewerke will lose starting center Brian Allen, but four other starters return up front. ... The Spartans also have a favorable schedule. Dantonio’s team misses Wisconsin in crossover play and catches Michigan and Ohio State in East Lansing."